The Australian Kangaroos have won a tit-for-tat battle with the Kiwis in the Trans-Tasman Test, prevailing 30-18 in a much closer than expected match in front of 25,429 fans at Sydney's Allianz Stadium.
With five debutants in their team, the Kiwis were expected to be an easy task for an Australian team hosting 14 players from their World Cup final-winning side of last year.
With the likes of Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, Ben Matulino and Alex Glenn being dropped from the side and others, like Issac Luke and Thomas Leuluai, missing the game through injury, the Kiwis did extremely well to go down by two tries, having held a shock 18-12 half-time lead.
With the majority of rugby league fans expecting a blow-out and most bookmakers posting the Kiwis chances of winning at double figures, the men from across the ditch left many speechless after scoring the first try of the evening in the sixth minute.
Australian five-eighth Johnathan Thurston wouldn't have it though and six minutes later he sublimely handed it off to fearless back-rower Greg Bird to level the scores. Kiwi prop Sam Moa was down hurt in the process of the try playing out, with the Kiwis left to defend with 12 men.
An indifferent bounce from a Cameron Smith kick left debutant Kiwi fullback Peta Hiku spilling the pill 15 metres out from his own line just past the quarter-hour mark. Aussie winger Brett Morris scored his 22nd try for the Kangaroos off the proceeding scrum play thanks again to Thurston, handing Australia a 12-6 lead after 18 minutes.
Though the brilliance of the Australian No. 6 would not overawe the Kiwis, as Thurston's unlikely opposite five-eighth Tohu Harris levelled up the scores in the 23rd minute in a highly scrutinised video referee decision – the big Melbourne behemoth managing to place the ball down practically over his head.
Four minutes later New Zealand's other prop Sam Moa barged his way over for his first ever international try, the Kiwis hitting the lead for the second time of the evening for what would end up being an 18-12 half-time scoreline.
After an error-riddled first 10 minutes from both sides to kick-off the second half, the Kangaroos drew first blood in the 52nd minute through the hands of Brett Morris for his second try of the evening – Thurston again levelling the scores with his conversion.
After a brilliant defensive set where the Kiwis were unlucky not to escape the in-goal, the Kangaroos, off the back of a brilliant side-to-side movement, would score their fourth try of the evening through the hands of Greg Inglis in the 61st minute – the lead changing hands for the third time of the evening, with Australia holding a 24-18 advantage.
After several entertaining sets from New Zealand, the Australians would come out with their heads held high – not only preventing the Kiwis levelling the score but scoring a long range try through halfback Cronk to take the score to 30-18, putting the game out of reach for their brave opponents.
Australia 30 (Morris 2, Bird, Cronk, Inglis Tries; Thurston 5 Goals) defeated New Zealand 18 (Bromwich, Harris, Moa Tries; Johnson 3 Goals) at Allianz Stadium. Crowd: 25,429.
With five debutants in their team, the Kiwis were expected to be an easy task for an Australian team hosting 14 players from their World Cup final-winning side of last year.
- Fiery Kiwis no shock for flat-footed Roos
- Valiant Kiwis do Kearney proud
- WATCH: Full match highlights
- WATCH: Australia's match-sealing try
- WATCH: Kangaroos press conference
- WATCH: Kiwis press conference
- Full match stats
- Relive our live commentary
- Women's All Stars match wrap
With the likes of Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, Ben Matulino and Alex Glenn being dropped from the side and others, like Issac Luke and Thomas Leuluai, missing the game through injury, the Kiwis did extremely well to go down by two tries, having held a shock 18-12 half-time lead.
Watch the NRL LIVE with a 2-week free trial.
Get the NRL Digital Pass now!
With the majority of rugby league fans expecting a blow-out and most bookmakers posting the Kiwis chances of winning at double figures, the men from across the ditch left many speechless after scoring the first try of the evening in the sixth minute.
- Ageing Roos no concern: Gallen
- Morris boys savour first shared home Test
- Cordner revels in presence of greats
- Shifted Kiwi back-rowers show their spine
Australian five-eighth Johnathan Thurston wouldn't have it though and six minutes later he sublimely handed it off to fearless back-rower Greg Bird to level the scores. Kiwi prop Sam Moa was down hurt in the process of the try playing out, with the Kiwis left to defend with 12 men.
An indifferent bounce from a Cameron Smith kick left debutant Kiwi fullback Peta Hiku spilling the pill 15 metres out from his own line just past the quarter-hour mark. Aussie winger Brett Morris scored his 22nd try for the Kangaroos off the proceeding scrum play thanks again to Thurston, handing Australia a 12-6 lead after 18 minutes.
Though the brilliance of the Australian No. 6 would not overawe the Kiwis, as Thurston's unlikely opposite five-eighth Tohu Harris levelled up the scores in the 23rd minute in a highly scrutinised video referee decision – the big Melbourne behemoth managing to place the ball down practically over his head.
Four minutes later New Zealand's other prop Sam Moa barged his way over for his first ever international try, the Kiwis hitting the lead for the second time of the evening for what would end up being an 18-12 half-time scoreline.
After an error-riddled first 10 minutes from both sides to kick-off the second half, the Kangaroos drew first blood in the 52nd minute through the hands of Brett Morris for his second try of the evening – Thurston again levelling the scores with his conversion.
After a brilliant defensive set where the Kiwis were unlucky not to escape the in-goal, the Kangaroos, off the back of a brilliant side-to-side movement, would score their fourth try of the evening through the hands of Greg Inglis in the 61st minute – the lead changing hands for the third time of the evening, with Australia holding a 24-18 advantage.
After several entertaining sets from New Zealand, the Australians would come out with their heads held high – not only preventing the Kiwis levelling the score but scoring a long range try through halfback Cronk to take the score to 30-18, putting the game out of reach for their brave opponents.
Australia 30 (Morris 2, Bird, Cronk, Inglis Tries; Thurston 5 Goals) defeated New Zealand 18 (Bromwich, Harris, Moa Tries; Johnson 3 Goals) at Allianz Stadium. Crowd: 25,429.
